The News
Junior's Restaurant and Bakery, a 75-year-old Brooklyn-based cheesecake icon, has partnered with Other Half Brewing, a Brooklyn-based beer company, to release four limited-edition dessert-themed beers starting May 7. The beers include Strawberry Dream Imperial IPA, Key Lime Cheesecake Sour IPA, Egg Cream Milk Stout, and Black and White Cream Ale, each inspired by New York desserts.
Brooklyn’s Junior’s Cheesecake and Other Half Brewing have joined forces on a four‑beer line that hit shelves on May 7. The collaboration blends two iconic Brooklyn brands—Junior’s, known for its cheesecake, and Other Half, famous for hazy IPAs—into limited‑edition brews available in cans, draft at select taprooms, and through a handful of East Coast retailers.
For operators the key takeaway is that this is a short‑lived tasting‑room play. Only four flavors are offered: Strawberry Dream Imperial IPA (8.5 % ABV), Key Lime Cheesecake Sour IPA (6.5 %), Egg Cream Milk Stout (6.0 %) and Black & White Cream Ale (4.8 %). The press notes a projected shelf life of 60–90 days for the hazy IPA, so the real opportunity lies in driving taproom traffic and quick turn‑through rather than building a new staple SKU.
Dessert‑beer releases are growing quickly—about 12 % of all limited‑time offers were dessert‑inspired in 2025, up from 7 % in 2021. Food‑and‑beverage collaborations have risen 23 % since 2022, indicating that operators who can pull off a compelling pairing see higher engagement than those sticking to single‑brand releases. Yet only roughly 18 % of craft beer drinkers buy directly online, and while Other Half can ship to 33 states, most volume will still come from taproom sales and the limited East Coast retail partners.
Because there is no exclusive distributor deal, distributors have no immediate reason to add these SKUs to their catalogues. The release does not name a wholesaler; it simply highlights availability in select retailers and at Other Half locations across New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Distributors who want to test the market can allocate a few cases for seasonal promotions, but should treat the line as a short‑term addition rather than a core offering.
On‑premise operators can lean on the “real New York ingredients” angle to host themed tap events. The partnership taps into Brooklyn’s culinary identity—Junior’s has been around since 1950 and Other Half began in Carroll Gardens in 2014—providing an authentic selling point that can set a bar apart from competitors. A practical approach is to pair the lower‑ABV Black & White Cream Ale with a pre‑draft tasting menu, while offering the Imperial IPA and the stout as premium options for dessert beer enthusiasts. The nostalgic key lime and egg cream flavors can drive repeat visits; schedule these beers front‑and‑center during peak hours.
The 60–90 day shelf life for the hazy IPA is a hard limit on inventory longevity. Order only enough to cover expected turnout, then shift focus to other SKUs once the limited run ends. Overstocking forces discounts or removal from the taproom, eroding margins.
Overall this collaboration is a tactical pop‑up that will generate buzz for a brief period. Operators who treat it as a long‑term staple risk wasted inventory; those who use it as a quick‑turning themed event can capitalize on the growing dessert beer trend without overcommitting shelf space or capital. The 18 % online purchase rate and the 60–90 day shelf life set concrete boundaries that will shape how this limited run performs in practice.
Original Press Release
First came peanut butter and jelly. Then it was ham and eggs and milk and cookies. But when it comes to the union of two beloved food giants, only could Brooklyn, NY – the Borough of Kings, itself – produce a pairing as unexpectedly regal as cheesecake and beer. Indeed, the 75-year-old legendary Junior's Restaurant and Bakery – home of the world's most fabulous cheesecake – and the Brooklyn cult classic Other Half Brewing have partnered up on a line of four unique, limited-edition dessert-inspired beer styles.
Available starting May 7, the four soon-to-be-famous new beers crafted through this collaboration span a variety of styles, each with a uniquely New York dessert component:
Strawberry Dream Imperial IPA (8.5% ABV) A hazy strawberry Oat Cream IPA--inspired by Junior's classic Strawberry Cheesecake--giving creamy, hoppy strawberry vibes.
Key Lime Cheesecake Sour IPA (6.5% ABV) Lime-forward hops and fresh lime come together with graham crackers, milk sugar and oats to make a smooth, Twice Baked Key Lime Pie Cheesecake flavor Sour IPA.
Egg Cream Milk Stout (6.0% ABV) A creamy, rich Milk Stout brewed with Fox's U-Bet syrup to mimic Junior's classic egg cream. Good? Fuhgeddaboudit!
Black and White Cream Ale (4.8% ABV) A twist on the classic Cream Ale brewed with cacao nibs and vanilla to represent the iconic NYC treat, the black-and-white cookie.
"Since the beginning, we've always had fun pairing dessert flavors with our beers," said Sam Richardson, co-founder and Brewmaster at Other Half. "So, when the opportunity to work with a Brooklyn-based dessert icon like Junior's came up, we were definitely excited. We can't wait for people to try these new flavor profiles, with real NY ingredients for the full Brooklyn experience."
"I have always wanted to expand our brand into the alcohol business," said Alan Rosen, the third-generation owner of Junior's. "What better way to achieve this than by partnering our legendary desserts with an up-and-coming Brooklyn-based legend. This is definitely the perfect marriage – a craft beer line fit for the Borough of Kings and, pardon the pun, the 'other half' and well beyond. Now, I'm as excited as an expectant father; I can't wait until the birth of the beers."
Junior's Restaurant and Bakery was founded in Brooklyn in 1950 at the corner of Flatbush Ave. EXT and Dekalb Ave, also called Harry Rosen Way and Cheesecake Corner in honor of Mr. Rosen's grandfather. Over the last 75 years, it has since become an iconic New York institution, celebrated for its classic American Brooklyn comfort food and world-famous cheesecake. Over the decades, Junior's has expanded to restaurant locations; there are two in Manhattan, one in Connecticut and one in Las Vegas, with an outpost at LaGuardia Airport. Its signature New York-style cheesecake, made from the same traditional family recipe for more than 75 years, is widely regarded as the best in New York and the country, as well as attracting a loyal following from every corner of the globe. Junior's Cheesecake is also shipped nationwide and available in a plethora of grocery stores, bringing a taste of the city to customers everywhere.
Other Half Brewing Co. was founded in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn in 2014 and quickly developed a strong following for its New England-style hazy IPAs. It's since expanded to eight locations throughout NY State, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C., with retail availability along the Eastern seaboard and throughout the country via its online shop. Other Half has a strong foundation in pushing the boundaries of beer, and these latest collaborations with Junior's are a testament to their innovation and dedication to their local communities.
The new Other Half x Junior's collaborations are available in cans and on draft and will be pouring in all Other Half Brewing and Junior's NY locations starting Thursday, May 7th. They're also available in select retail partners on the East Coast and can be shipped to 33 states via Other Half Brewing's website.
Sources consulted (web research):
- A Marriage Brewed In Brooklyn Legendary Juniors Cheesecake And Other…
- Juniors Cheesecake Other Half Beer Collab
- A Marriage Brewed In Brooklyn Legendary Juniors Cheesecake And Fan Fa…
- Juniors Other Half Cheesecake Beer Collab
- Junior S And Other Half Brewing Launch Cheesecake Inspired Craft Beer…
- 21558 Juniors Cheesecake Partners With Other Half Brewing On Dessert…
Source: PR Newswire